Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming before the committee. I welcome the commentary that everything that needs to be done in the context of post offices will be done. Obviously, it makes sense for as many offline services as possible to be operated through the post office network If that adds to their viability, it is sound business. I add my voice to the previous commentary that time is of the essence in the context of the transformation that will go out of commission at the end of June. There is serious worry in that regard, particularly in light of what the Irish Postmasters Union told the committee about 200 possible closures. Obviously, that would leave us with a network that is not fit for purpose and we cannot allow that to happen.

The national broadband plan, NBP, is the most significant work for the Department, particularly in the area of communications. Both the Tánaiste and the Minister for Transport have engaged in conversations with National Broadband Ireland, NBI, regarding a possible acceleration of the plan. There is an acceptance that there was a slight slowdown due to Covid-19 and at the end of the year which delayed progress slightly. I spoke to NBI officials, who brought up possible difficulties relating to planning permission in the context of dealing with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and the local authorities. I spoke to the Minister and his officials on this issue. Does the Minister of State have any update regarding possibilities for acceleration of the roll-out of the NBP? Beyond that, is she aware whether any of the difficulties in respect of planning permission and giving NBI the capacity to do business as quickly as possible have been dealt with? Is she aware of conversations the Minister or others have had with other vendors, that is, private operators, regarding possible short-term and interim solutions for people who may have to wait four, five or more years for the roll-out of the plan?